Kathryn Smith

There are plenty of elements to consider when making the decision to buy a home, but those considerations shift slightly if a buyer wants to begin a family in the house. After all, parents with young kids have different needs than a single homebuyer. Here are a few things to think about when choosing a home for your growing family.

Recently, my youngest daughter, McKenna, passed her driver’s test. She absolutely loves her newfound freedom. Sometimes, a bit too much! She isn’t afraid to drive anywhere. I’m constantly reminding her that she’s a new driver and that we need to continue working together on developing her driving skills. It’s a fact: teenage drivers account for more auto accidents than any other age group.

However, I’m not going to lie, it’s easy to become complacent after teenagers get their licenses. Let’s face it; we spent months riding around with them teaching them the rules of the road. Why would we want to continue with those stressful and aggravating situations? Parental involvement is a key way to help educate and protect them.

Lately, I feel like a broken record. I’m constantly telling her:

• Don’t text and drive;
• Don’t speed;
• Keep your music low;
• Wear your seatbelt;
• You’re only allowed one friend in the car; and
• Text me when you get there.

Here are some other topics I’ve discussed with her. I hope you find them helpful.

1. Teen/defensive driving schools. A typical behind the wheel driver’s education class teaches the rules of the road and basic driving skills. Advanced driving school programs, such as Road America’s teen driving school focus on skills not taught in driver’s education including:

• Skid prevention and control;
• ABS vs. threshold breaking;
• Collision avoidance and maneuvers; and
• Proper vision skills.

My daughter recently participated in this class and loved it. She told me she learned so much and feels even more confident on the road. If you’re a West Bend Home and Highway policyholder, you’re eligible for discounted rates for Road America’s driving school.

2. Weather. Different weather conditions can affect how we drive. Rain, sleet, and snow affect traction and braking. What may be common sense to us may not be for new teen drivers. Before letting them drive in a new weather condition, take them somewhere safe where you can talk and they can practice new driving techniques.

3. Animals. This time of year, animals are on the move. Deer hits are very common in Wisconsin. If an animal runs out, instinct is to swerve to avoid hitting it. I constantly remind both my daughters to brake hard and fast if possible; never swerve for an animal. Swerving to avoid hitting an animal can put your teen driver and others into potentially deadly situations.

4. Intersections. Unfortunately, many drivers who get a yellow light speed up instead of slowing down. Today, I see even more people driving through red lights. This tip is critical for new and experienced drivers alike. Always check the intersection to make sure it’s clear before proceeding through on a green light. During a practice session with my daughter, I had just uttered those words and another driver went through a red light while ours was green. A split second sooner and my daughter probably would’ve been taken to the hospital.

5. Clean windshield. Trying to look through a dirty or snow-covered windshield can be dangerous. Light reflecting off a dirty or frosty windshield during sunrise and sunset can make it extremely difficult to see. When the first frost glazes their windshield or the first snowfall buries their car, show them how to clean it properly. Again, what’s common sense to you may not be to your teen.

6. Roadside assistance. If you don’t have it, consider purchasing roadside assistance for your family. For adults, a dead battery or a flat tire can be a nuisance. For a new teen driver, it can be a scary situation. Moreover, with increased highway speeds, it’s best to stay in your car. Wait for a professional’s assistance.

7. School parking lot. Depending on the size of your high school, the parking lot before and after school can be chaotic. We’ve told McKenna to get to school early and stay late. A few extra minutes before and after can make a big difference in avoiding congestion and fender benders.

8. Car accidents. Teens are three times more likely to have an accident per mile driven than adults are. Obviously, inexperience behind the wheel is the leading cause. While we hope our teens are not involved in an accident, statistics say otherwise. Discussing what to do after an accident can be helpful for both of you. I’ve already received a phone call from my daughter asking me what to do because she was rear-ended at a stoplight by another student. Luckily, it was just a bump, and there wasn’t any damage. Unfortunately, trying to have a conversation over the phone just after it happened was difficult for us. Planning can make dealing with the first accident a bit easier.

9. Car inspections. Periodically look at their car tires and instrument panels. I’ve explained to my daughters what to watch for, but I’ve learned that sometimes indicator lights are overlooked.

10. Purchase an app. Smartphone apps are available that monitor driving behaviors and send automatic text messages when teens arrive safely at their destinations. This is a good opportunity to monitor their driving, as well as offer additional teaching opportunities.

11. Graduated driver-licensing systems. These systems are designed to progress new drivers through different scenarios over time. Become familiar with your state’s program.

12. Recalculating. Driving to school, a part-time job, or a friend’s house can take new drivers through parts of your city that they’re unfamiliar with or that may present a challenging driving situation. For example, making a left hand turn at a busy intersection that doesn’t have a green arrow can be tricky. If either of these scenarios occur, consider talking to them about finding an alternative route. The next time you’re driving together, give them some guidance on how to successfully navigate through a situation that’s new to them.

For additional resources, check out my blogs below.

School parking lot safety tips

Summer driving danger and your teenager

Ten tips to avoid distracted driving

Vehicle warning lights and their meanings [Infographic]

SOURCE:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Nov 6, 2018 9:10:05 AM

Picture this. You’re driving through town in your 1969 Pontiac Firebird and everyone you pass is stopping and staring as you go by. Now if you want them to be staring because your collector car is in impeccable condition and not because your car squeals every time you touch the brakes, please take the time to make sure you’re taking proper care of your investment.

Maintenance and storage are incredibly important if you want your collector car to look like it just came off the line. Here are some maintenance and storage tips that could help:

Proper maintenance tips for your collector car

1. Make sure you’re getting regular tune-ups by someone qualified to work on the specific vehicle you have. Older vehicles should only be trusted to qualified technicians.

2. Make sure to wash your vehicle regularly as dust and dirt can hurt your paint job.

3. Try to drive your collector car at least once a month as your climate allows. A vehicle was made to be operated, and driving your collector car ensures that all the fluids are properly lubricating. You can also make sure it’s not overheating and the brakes are working correctly.

4. When parking your collector car, be sure to avoid parking on gravel or dirt. Doing so allows moisture to get into the car from the undercarriage and will cause the vehicle to degrade much faster than if it’s parked on cement.

Proper storage tips for your collector car

1. Make sure you fill your gas tank and have your oil changed before storing your car for the winter. You will also want to use a fuel stabilizer to guarantee your car is ready to go come spring.

2. Thoroughly clean your car inside and out before storing to ensure food particles left inside the car don’t attract animals and to avoid small scratches if all dirt has been removed from the exterior.

3. Use a cloth car cover, rather than a plastic one, to protect your vehicle. Plastic covers will trap moisture against your vehicle, which causes rust and corrosion.

4. Remove your spark plugs to ensure no moisture is trapped, as this will also lead to corrosion and rust.

Insurance Coverage

The most important storage and maintenance tip is to get proper insurance on your collector car. West Bend offers coverage on collector and antique vehicles as long as they meet our guidelines. We classify collector cars as vehicles that are more than 20 years old, and antiques as vehicles that were manufactured before 1950. Please contact your insurance agent for more information and to get a quote on your collector or antique vehicle.

Do you have any tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them; please share them in the box below.

Author Bio: Jennifer Bischoff, personal lines product specialist has been with West Bend for 10 years. She has earned the API, AIS, and AINS insurance designations. She is currently working on earning her CPCU designation.

SOURCE:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Oct 30, 2018 10:32:18 AM

Topics: Home Safety

People don’t buy life insurance because they need it; they buy it because they love someone.  They want to make sure their loved ones will be protected financially if something happens to them.

Life insurance is unique in its ability to help guarantee our loved ones will have the life we want them to have if we die prematurely.  CDs can’t do it.  Stocks can’t do it.  Nothing can do it like life insurance!

A life insurance policy creates a guaranteed pile of money to pay for soccer games, educational expenses, groceries, mortgage or rent payments, grief counseling and more.  It can help relieve the emotional and financial stress a family feels when someone dies unexpectedly.

Think of the many tasks you perform every day for your family.  You’re a chauffeur, short-order cook, homework maven, and dryer of tears.  It’s rewarding and tough, whether you are your children’s one and only or your have a partner to help.  but have you considered what would happen if your were no longer there to take care of your family?  While nothing can replace you, having life insurance means that if something does happen to you, your children would be OK financially.

Life insurance gives your family options.  And it’s less expensive than your might think.  Studies consistently show that the average person overestimates the cost of life insurance by more than two times.  Depending on your age and health, it can cost less thank $15.00 per month for $250,000 of coverage.

Love comes in all shapes and sizes.  Life insurance does too.  Let life insurance be that way you show your love.  We are all going to die sometime; we just don’t know when.  That’s why you need life insurance.

Love reveals itself in all kinds of ways.  You just have to look for it.  Watch the video below.

SOURCE:  Posted by Pekin Insurance on February 10, 2017

As the days get shorter, and the leaves start changing, you may be tempted to light a fire in your wood burning fireplace. While it’s enjoyable to sit and relax by a nice, warm fire, if you haven’t had your chimney inspected or cleaned this year, I would recommend holding off.

September 30 – October 6 is National Chimney Safety week. On average, 20,000 chimney fires occur in the U.S. each year. With proper inspections and cleaning, these fires can be prevented.

Neglected chimneys can destroy your home or injure your family. While some chimney fires burn wildly out of control, others can burn discretely without you ever knowing.

Here are some signs of a chimney fire:

• Loud crackling and popping noise;
• Dense smoke;
• A strong hot smell; and
• Loud rumbling sound.

Slow burning chimney fires may not be visible, but still can cause damage to your chimney or home.

Here are visible defects indicating you’ve had a small chimney fire:

• Warped metal;
• Cracked or collapsed flue tiles;
• Damaged roofing material;
• Cracks in exterior masonry;
• Pieces of creosote on your roof; and
• Smoke seeping through mortar joints.

An inspection by a certified and reputable company will be able to explain what’s going on with your chimney.

Understanding what causes chimney fires is the best medicine for keeping your family safe:

1. Creosote buildup. Creosote is a residue that travels up your chimney and builds up on your flue over time. In fact, some creosote builds up every time a wood burning fireplace is lit. If that residue isn’t properly cleaned out, the chance of a fire igniting in your chimney increases.

2. Clay flue liner defects. Over time, liners can crack allowing hot gases to escape. If the hot gases enter into the home, it can cause nearby framing to ignite.

3. Improper maintenance. Cracked cement in and around the fireplace can cause hot gases to escape as well.

4. Improper installation. Proper installation is critical to keeping your family safe. The National Fire Protection Association, fireplace manufacturers, and the venting manufactures have recommended guidelines for safe and proper installation.

5. Other causes. Fires can start for a number of additional reasons such as:

• Too much wood in the fireplace;
• Faulty igniter or connections;
• No grate;
• Damaged damper;
• Bird nest or debris buildup; and
• Low hanging tree branches.

If you enjoy a gas fireplace, here are a few things to check annually:

• Inspect the glass for cracks;
• Inspect the latches to make sure they still securely hold the glass;
• Make sure the logs haven’t shifted;
• Make sure the gas shut-off valve stops the flow of gas and test the igniter; and
• Inspect the burner for clogged holes. If a burner hole is clogged, turn off the gas and clear the obstruction(s) with a pin or small needle.

To learn more, download our free eBook, Chimney and Fireplace Safety Guide.

If you think your chimney is on fire, get out of your home immediately and call 911. Depending on the type of fire, it could spread through your home quickly.

Source:
http://www.csia.org/

SOURCE:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Oct 2, 2018 9:22:50 AM